LORD OF LORDS AND SAVIOR!

 

By the time I entered college my precious granddaddy's once tall chiseled body,   had dwindled down to a long , tall,  bag of brittle , arthritic bones.  Mostly from debilitating rheumatoid arthritis, extreme racism  and my "mother's" nagging ass, non-stop, lying ass, ill tempered hateful mouth and fucking dumb ass scheme after dumb ass fucking scheme.

I fled North Carolina A & T State University , (in Greensboro, NC), every Friday, ( after Football season) , to drive the sixty miles to see my "granddaddy"!

Yes, we were tight, thick as thieves. We didn't even have to talk, we would just give each other the "eye", the look,   and nod. (The ***** at it again, we would sigh simultaneously, why?))

No, granddaddy did not cuss or curse,  drink, fornicate or carouse. He was really a good Christian. Genuine. Went to church dutifully EVERY SUNDAY! Served as the Sunday School Superintendent for years. Never stole one penny, whereas his daughter would and did steal everyone blind.

I arrived to witness my "mother" screeching and raising hell with my grandfather  for having an "accident". Grandaddy did not play with "constipation". He was always taking Ex-lax or some purgative,  and apparently he had taken too much this time.

I smiled gently; "No problem, granddaddy, I got you."

I remember the pink cardboard  box of "Mr. Bubbles" I poured generously,  making sure granddaddy would enjoy his warm bubble bath. I must have been strong. I just lifted him up in one scoop,  and I gently lowered his old, leathery, brittle body down into the tub.

I patted him dry, powered him like a baby, put clean underwear and freshly ironed pajamas on him. Made sure his linen was clean and fresh.  He was delighted. His ancient , wise eyes twinkled.

I trimmed his thick mustache, cut his long straight "Indian hair". I cut and filed his toenails and fingernails, massaged his arthritic bones.

While applying Jergen's lotion I noticed  tears streaming from the corners of his eyes. "You don't have to cry granddaddy...I don't mind. "

He just smiled and beamed; "Baby... you know, I used to change your diapers and here you is changing me."

We laughed .

Just BEAMING!